Chicago Elections Board Appeals Court Ruling Against Homelessness Referendum

The appeal challenges a decision that invalidated the referendum question, with votes on the March 19 ballot not to be counted unless the appeal succeeds.

• The Chicago Board of Elections announced it will appeal a Cook County judge's decision invalidating the Bring Chicago Home referendum, which aims to increase the real estate transfer tax on high-end properties to fund homelessness prevention.
• Despite the ruling, the referendum question will remain on the ballot for the March 19 primary election, but votes will not be counted unless the appeal is successful.
• Opponents of the referendum, including real estate industry groups, argue the question violates state law by combining a tax cut and a tax hike, and that its language is too vague.
• Mayor Brandon Johnson and supporters of the initiative are still urging voters to vote yes, equating legal efforts to defeat the question to voter suppression.
• The outcome of the appeal could potentially allow for the votes to be counted and released even after the primary election day.

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